Barbar Paid Airfare For Mayor`s Trip

July 5, 1985|By Bob Kowalski and Stephen J. Cohen, Staff Writers

Boca Raton Mayor William Konrad, who earlier this year was quoted as saying he had paid his own way on a trip to Jamaica with local businessmen and developer George Barbar in 1984, revealed this week that Barbar`s firm provided the air transportation for himself and the rest of the Chamber of Commerce delegation.

In a state-mandated gift disclosure form Konrad and dozens of other local officials filed with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office, the mayor listed the transportation to Montego Bay, Jamaica, for a trade exchange, as a gift from Barbar`s company Boca Investors Inc.

Konrad accompanied Barbar and members of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce on the trade exchange to Jamaica in March 1984.

Earlier this year, however, that trip was questioned by several local residents and officials who had expressed concern about Konrad`s dealings with Barbar, a developer who has sought numerous approvals from the City Council.

Konrad was quoted in January as saying, ``I paid for my Jamaica trip.``

On Wednesday, an angry Konrad insisted the entire matter ``has been distorted.``

``Originally I paid $450 for the whole trip including air transportation,`` Konrad said. ``A few days before the trip, the chamber told me that everyone in the delegation, including (banker) Avery Fonda and (Arvida executive) Norm Cortese was flying over together on George Barbar`s plane.

``We did that and we were greeted at the airport by the prime minister and his cabinet,`` he said. ``It did not make sense for me to fly separately from the delegation,`` he said.

Konrad said that after they returned, the chamber refunded $150 of his $450 because private air transportation had not been needed. ``They said the air fare was given free to everyone. I paid for everything else throughout the entire trip, and that`s what I meant when I said I paid for my trip,`` he said.

As required, Konrad added, he listed the value of the air fare on his gift disclosure statement.

In January, after denying he had accepted a free trip to Jamaica, Konrad and other Boca Raton City Council members also defended accepting numerous tickets to entertainment events, free dinners and invitations to parties, saying they were representing the city at such events and not receiving gifts.

``Somebody said we`re (the City Council) in George Barbar`s pocket, and that bugs me,`` the mayor said at the time.

In the gift form he filed this week, however, Konrad, like City Council members Richard Robinson and Al Travasos, reported as a gift his attendance at a $250-a-plate awards dinner held for Barbar in 1984.

Earlier this year, the Palm Beach County State Attorney`s Office investigated the council member`s acceptance of gifts. That inquiry concluded the officials had not violated any state laws by accepting tickets and party invitations.